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SAND 



THE FOUR ACT COMEDY 



By REBECCA DIAL 





PRICE 50c 



Copyright 1920 
By Wil Lou Gray 



The State Co. Printers, Columbia, S. C. 



SAND PLEASES AUDIENCES 

"Sand." the four-act comedy, written by Miss Rebecca Dial and 
presented by Laurens people at five different places during the past 
iveek, played to capacity houses and was given a splendid reception 
at every performance. In every town the cast was shown many cour- 
tesies and the receipts from the sale of tickets will considerably aid 
in the campaign against illiteracy for which cause the play was 
written. The total receipts from all performances were in excess of 
$600. 

* * ****** 

The cast was fortunate in having an interesting play to present. 
Comedy and pathos were well blended to make a play of great possi- 
bilities and the reception given by several audiences bore out the pre- 
dictions of a genuine success. 

The Laurefis Advertiser, Laurens, S. 0. 

September 22, 1920. 

MARION CLUB WOMEN PRESENT 
ILLITERACY PLAY 

On Friday evening, July 3, Marion had the unusual pleasure of a 
real "first night" theatrical performance, with the further distinction 
of the playright. Miss Rebecca Dial, in attendance to rehearse and 
direct. Deeply interested in South Carolina's low standing in adult 
illiteracy. Miss Dial, who is the daughter of U. S. Senator Dial, 
wrote this play as her contribution to the campaign now l>eing waged 
to teach every man and woman to read and write. Miss Dial believed 
that an audience which beheld on the stage the portrayal of conditions 
in an illiterate home and the evolution toward greater personal respect 
and better citizenship in that home by "a little larnin'," as one of 
the characters says, would be stimulated into doing something con- 
crete and immediate about teaching its own community illiterates. 
So this amateur play called "Sand", composed of actual happenings 
from actual night schools, resulted. Its initial appearance was at 
Marion, under the auspices of the three clubs. Owls, Papyrus, and 
Civic League. 

Despite the rain a good crowd greeted the performers. There was 
not a dull moment from the beginning to the very end. The charac- 
ters were well delineated by Marion men and girls. "Sand" runs the 
gamut from the wistful pathos of Mrs. Anderson's saying that she 
would not "feel so bound in if I could only count my eggs and keep 
my store bill" to gay comedy. There is a night school commencement 
just like real ones which are taking place over the State. There is 
a love story, of course, with the proper happy ending. And the final 
climax is full of both fun and romance. 

The Marion Star, Marion, S. C. 



NOV 24 1920 



I 



C1A605402 

TMP92-009097 



4* ^ 



SAND 

The Four Act Comedy 




SUGGESTIONS FOR GETTING UP THE PLAY 

First : Secure the cooperation of some prominent organization 
in the community to attend to the business connected with the 
play. 

Second : Select the cast and at the first meeting discuss plans 
for the play. Set a date for its production, and read the play, 
each person reading the part assigned to him. 

Third: Rehearse frequently and keep up the interest in the 
work. With nightly rehearsals, two weeks is ample time for 
production of the play. 

Fourth : Insist on lines being memorized at the first rehearsal, 
of each act. 

Fifth: Advertise in papers, by posters, handbills, and per- 
sonal boosters. "It pays to advertise." 

Sixth : Sell tickets in advance. 

Seventh : Provide popular music between acts. 

Eighth: Have popular instrumental music with orchestra, if 
possible, while the audience is assembling. 

Ninth : Just before the curtain goes up, in order to quiet the 
audience, let the cast sing the following : 

"Night school will shine tonight, 

Night school will shine. 
Night school will shine tonight, 

Won't that be fine? 
Night school will shine tonight, 

Night school will shine. 
When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, 

Night school will shine." 



DESIGN OF STAGE WITH LIST OF PROPERTIES 





l(f 3 



"V rn _. -*o Mn "* 



A. Left entrance into kitchen. B. Center entrance to exterior. 
C. Window. 

ACT I. 

1. Mantel. Covered with dried peppers, cabbage, and any 
vegetables or South Carolina fruits obtainable. 

2. Old-fashioned rocker. 

3. Bench. 

4. Organ with gay ornaments. 

5. Hall-tree. 

6. Cupboard with a few dishes in it. Pans, tin cans, etc., on 
top. 

7. Small table, littered with boxes, papers, clothes, etc. 

8. Dining-room table, with red table cloth and lamp. 

9. Four straight chairs. 

10. Water-bucket with a dipper on stool. 

11. Easel with family portrait on it. 

Gaudy calendars, patent medicine, turkey-wing fans, and all 
kinds of trash. 

ACT II. 

1. Eight straight chairs added around the table. 

2. Blackboard and flag over the small table. 

3. Ten books, ten tablets and pencils. 

ACT III. 
1. Window curtains. 

ACT IV. 

1. Mantel with fire and grate. A rolling grate may be used. 
If there are no electric lights, a flashlight covered with red tissue 
paper and several sticks of wood will give the effect of fire. 

2. Morris chair. 

3. Buffet with white cover and flowers. 

4. Serving table. 

5. Four chairs to match the set. 

6. Dining room table with white cloth and vase of flowers. 

7. Pot plant on stand. 

Christmas touches, wreathes, etc., on the mantel, buffet, and 
table. Several rugs and well-chosen pictures. 



SONGS TO BE USED IN ACT II OR BY A QUARTET 
BETWEEN ACTS. 

Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic. 

We've all attended Adult School, 

We've learnt to read and write. 
We have overcome the darkness 

And the new way seems so bright 
We want to help our fellowman 
To do the things that right — 
To join the Adult School. 

Chorus , 

Get a pupil for the Adult School, 

Get a pupil for the Adult School, 

Get a pupil for the Adult School, 

Let's make the map all white. 



Tune: Smiles. 

There are books for little children, 

There are books for big ones, too. 
There are schools to teach you how to use them, 

And these school are surely meant for you. 
There'll be Adult Schools for you in August 

When the crops are all laid by, 
And you will be given the opportunity 

That was denied you in days gone by. 



Tune: Keep the Home Fires Burning. 

Keep the night oil burning, 
Keep the pages turning, 
Keep the adults yearning, 

Thirsting for knowledge rules. 
Take some education 
Out among the nation, 
Help light up creation 

With the adult school. 



SAND 

Written by Rebecca Dial 
THE CAST 



Mr. Anderson An elderly man, very lazy, shabbily 

dressed. In first act smoking con- 
stantly. After Act I he shows im- 
provement in appearance. 

Mrs. Anderson Nervous, energetic woman over fifty. 

Warren Anderson .... Soldier son. 

Jimmie Anderson In Act I age 9 years. Red headed, 

freckled, etc. 

Minnie Niagara Jones . Impulsive, flashy creature. In Act I War- 

ren's sweetheart. 

Harriet Gary Teacher of night schools. A junior at 

Winthrop in Act I. Reserved, yet 
sympathetic. 

Buck Upshaw One of Minnie's suitors. 

Chaney Lawton Grocer; white hair, very [Night school 

blond pupils 

Mrs. Roebuck Mother of a large family 

Mary Ferguson A helper of Miss Gary in Act II. 

Mr. Cox ) _ 

Mr. Farrow ( Trustees. 

Mr. Harrington, Miss Gary's friend { Managers of the Lau- 

Mr. Peyton ) rens Glass Factory 

ACT I — Dining room of the Anderson farm home near Blank- 
ville, S. C, June of 1919. 

ACT II — Scene same. Time — eight weeks later. Commence- 
ment of Night School. 

ACT III — Scene same as Act I. Time — several days later than 
Act II. 

ACT IV — Scene same as Act I. Five years later. A week 
before Christmas. 

Note I. — For convenience the scene is same throughout, though 
Act II could be staged in a school room, very bare with only 
benches or chairs and possibly an organ. 

Note II. — In each act there should be improvement in appear- 
ance of room. In Acts I, II and III very bare, though improv- 
ing in tidiness in Acts II and III. In Act IV touches showing 
increased culture — Christmas touches also. 



ACT I. 

Scene : Dining room in Mr. Anderson's home near Blankville, 
S. C. Very bare and uninviting. Entrance left into the kitchen. 
Entrance center from the exterior. Fireplace down right with a 
chair in front of it. Organ right of center entrance. Window 
between mantel and organ. Cupboard up left. Table with three 
chairs down left center. Red cover on table, lamp. All the fur- 
nishings denote poverty. Room appears cluttered and untidy. 

Discovered— Mr. Anderson, shabby and disgruntled, seated by 
fireplace with shoes and coat and collar off. Suspender fastened 
with a nail, patches in the seat of his trousers, smoking corncob 
pipe. 

Enter Mrs. Anderson with arms full of bundles. He turns his 
head deliberately and looks at her without speaking. 

Mrs. A. [Placing packages on the table] : "Wall, Pap, I've jes' 
been buyin' our supper an' ef things keeps on a goin' higher, 1 
speck you'll have to go to work. Of course that will be pretty 
hard on you when you've got the settin' round habit so strong, 
but a heap o' folks is havin' to change their ways with the war. 
[Hanging up her bonnet and putting packages in the cupboard.l 
Here's your mail. I wuz most fergittin' to give it to you — three 
pieces" [handing it to him]. 

Mr. A. [Opening first letter. Mrs. A. continuing to put pack- 
ages in the cupboard] : "Of course I can't make nothin' out o' 
them tel Jimmie comes homes, but I kin stedy over 'em. Wonder 
whut these little chicken scratchin' marks mean on this one?" 

Mrs. A. [Has started to sit. Comes back, looking over his 
shoulder] : "They's alius (always) inventin' some new way o' 
doin' things, but fer folks that can't read readin' much less 
writin' they outer be keerful how they put it." 

Mr. A. : "It peers to me it would take some brainy feller to 
make different words out o' them little straight marks made in 
couples. I can't make nothin' out o' it, so I'll be lookin' in this 
next one." [Mrs. A. is seated, darning, center chair. He opens 
second letter.] "The top picture on its looks powerful like the one 
I got las' month about the mortgage on our farm." 

Mrs. A. : "Yes, I recollic' it said if we didn't pay up the back 
interest in thirty days they'd have to turn us out o' house and 
home." 

Mr. A.: "With Warren gone, it don't seem like I kin keep 
things goin'. In this sandy country farmin's no use." 

Mrs. A.: "He showly wuz a big help and I hope we kin soon 
get him back." 

Mr. A.: "Ef he wuz here, meybe he could think uf somepun 
(something). I'm 'bout petered out, an ef 'twuzen't fer givin' up 
the roof over my head I'd be right thankful to wish this no count 
sandy land on to Mr. Sawyer." 

Mrs. A.: "Now, Sam, you know you'd hate to turn over land 
whut's been in the AncWson family for a hunded years to pure 



strangers and have 'em restin' under our shade trees, drinkin' 
out o' our spring, and lardin' it round the place. [Looking out of 
the window.] Here comes Jimmie now. We'll soon oe able 
to make out what these quar markin's means." 

[Enter Jimmie, center. Whistling. Tries to pitch cap on peg.l 
Mr. A.: "Here, Jimmie, we want you to do a little readin' 
fer us." [Hands bill to Jimmie.] 

Jimmie: "All right, pap. [Mrs. Anderson crosses and looks 
over pap's shoulder.] This is from Sandy Lawton's grocery. 
He has a new clerk what sends out the bill in writin' sted o' 
usin' signs like Sandy does." [Reads] : 

"June 1st 2 lbs. bacon 90c 

" " 3 " lard $1.00 

" 3rd " " sugar " 

"Mr. A.: Wait, Jimmie; how are you gettin' all them words 
outin' them little double eyelash marks there [pointing to ditto 
marks] ?" 

Jimmie: "Oh. Pap, thems — I mean those are ditto marks, and 
mean the same as the word above." 

Mr. A.: "Wal, ole lady, I guess that means you're one darn 
fool an' I'm another (Ha! Ha!) Here, Jimmie, tell us what 
this says?" [Mrs. A. crosses back to center seat.] 

[Jimmie reads] : "Blankville, S. C, June 29th, 1919. 

"Mr. S. A. Anderson, 

"Blankville, S. C, K. F. D. No. 3. 
"Dear Sir : 

"I regret that I must write you again in regard to the back 
interest on the mortgage on your farm and homestead. You 
have allowed the same to lapse for fourteen months, and in case 
I do not receive part of that amount or some assurance of its 
being paid in the next few days, it will be necessary for me to 
foreclose. Please let me hear from you, for I am anxious to 
know how you stand in regard to the matter even though you 
may not have the money. Yours truly, 

"J. B. Sawyer." 

[Jimmie goes to cupboard ; gets biscuit out and eats.] 

Mr. A. : "Wal, I'll be domed ef the ole fool don't seem to be 
hankerin' mo' after a scrap o' writin' from me than fer hi9 
money." 

Mrs. A. : "He wants both it seems to me, an' I guess he is tired 
o' usin' up stamps and gettin' nothin' in return." 

Mr. A. : "Wall, there don't seem no way fer me to scrape up the 
money, but I guess I kin send him a word to ease his mind. Here, 
Jimmie, take down this leeter." 

Jimmie : "All right, pap." [Goes to left of table.] 

Mr. A.: "'Ef I had " 

Jimmie: "Wait, pap; don't you want no headin' or polite 
salutation?" 



Mr. A.: "Don't bother me with them extra frills. What I 
want is a letter that will satisfy him. I want you to say : 'Ef I had 
a knowed that you wanted a letter I would a writ, but I thought 
that you wanted money, and there are no money.' Now you kin 
put on as many heads and feet an bows and salutin's as you 
want." 

[Jimmie writes.] 

Mrs. A. : "Ole man, you spoke gospel in them few words, and 
though Mr. Sawyer is a kind lawyer, it's money not gospel he's 
after, and I feel like this is our las' warnin." 

Mr. A. : '"Oh, he's been so nice and considerin' fer so long, I 
don't see how he could spoil it now by turnin' a respectin' family 
out'n whuts been theirs a hunded years er mo." 

Mrs. A. : "Wal, in these times bizness is bizness, and folks don't 
use much heart grease. To my way o' calculatin' its pay up the 
$600 back interest or turn gypsies one." 
Knock at door.] 

Mr. A.: ''Lift the latch." 

"Enter Warren, soldier son.] 

Warren: "Hello, folks!" 

Mrs. A. : "Sonny !" 

Jimmie [spinning around] : "It's Warren!" 

Warren: "Well, kid!" 

Mr. A. : "Wall, bud [rising with difficulty] , shake yer pap's 
hand." 

Warren: "Wuzn't you lookin' fer me? I wrote you last week 
that I'd get loose by today." 

Mr. A. [sits by mantel] : "No, we hadn't heard less it wuz in 
this other letter we hadn't started on yet." 

Mrs. A. : "We had to wait for Jimmie to read 'em to us. He's 
larnin' powerful good at school since they put in the compulsion 
law and we've been having to send him to school. It's a big help 
to us as ain't had no chance." [Sits back of table. Warren cen- 
ter. Jimmie stands behind his chair admiring hat, uniform, etc.] 

Warren: "Go to it, buddie. It's a heap easier and better to 
get it when you're a little chap 'stead o' waitin' til you are grown 
like I was." 

Jimmie: "I don't see how you had time fer book learnin' when 
you wuz fightin' so hard." 

Warren : "It was this way. When I first got in the army I 
used to look at the boys puttin' down on paper the things they 
wuz thinkin' and sendin' 'em back home, an' I wuz sorry I wuz 
such a know nothin' kind. I made up my mind to get learnin' 
my first chance, and you bet I wuz tickled when my captain called 
me up one day after the war wuz over and told me I could stay 
in the army and go to one of the schools they wuz startin'." 

Mr. A.: "It must a cost you a heap o' money?" 

Warren : "No, they gave the schoolin' free, and I could draw 
my pay all at the same time." 



Mrs. A. : "It must a been awful hard work fer you." 

Warren: "Yes, it was at first, but I knew it wuz my only 
chance, so I worked away. The teacher helped me a lot, and the 
preacher in our regiment used to come over to my barracks at 
night and help me. Now I read and figger pretty good, an' I've 
been er savin' up my money, too. I ain't ready to stop either, 
fer a little learnin' makes a fellow want to keep on." 

Mrs. A.: "Jimmie, show Warren the letter you just writ for 
yer Pap." 

[Warren reads.] 

Warren : "Oh, Pap, a letter like that won't do no good. How 
much do you have to raise?" 

Mr. A. : "It's mor'n I could get up in the rest of my life, unless 
I went to work, which I swore off from back in '98, the year I 
had the rheumatiz in my left arm. Boy, it's $600." 

Warren [thinking] : "Jimmie, tear up that letter you jes wrote. 
You do better letter'n than me, so take this down — " 

[Jimmie tears the letter and crosses to mantel, throwing pieces 
in box. Eecrosses in front of table to chair left of table.] 

"Dear Mr. Sawyer: 

"Enclosed please find check for $500 for back interest on the 
mortgage on our farm and homestead. The remaining $100 will 
follow soon. Thank you for your kindness. 

"Yours truly, 

"S. A. Anderson." 

[Warren writes check.] 

Mr. A. : "Boy, you're not doin' anything out o' the way, be 
you?" 

Warren : "No, Pap, jes' writing you a check fer a little I've 
been layin' by. Here, Jimmie." 

[Jimmie crosses back of table, takes check, encloses it in letter 
and hands to Mr. A.] 

Mrs. A. : "Oh, Warren, you do make my ole heart glad savin' 
us from disgrace." [Tears in her eyes.] 

Mr. A. [sheepishly] : "I guess I oughta be mo' account." 

Warren [handing letter to Mrs. A.] : Don't worry, Dad, we'll 
have a home as long as I have two good hands." 

Mr. -A. : "Wall, I guess I'll be mailin' this for it'll make my 
mind easier to know the money's on its way." 

[Exit Mr. Anderson, left. Mrs. A. and Jimmie start out.] 

[Enter Minnie Niagara, center.] 

Minnie : "I jes' couldn't wait to see you." 

Warren [catching both her hands] : "My, but it's good to see 
you." 

Minnie: "Howdy, Mrs. Anderson; howdy, Jimmie." 

Mrs. A. [from left door] : "Jes' make yourself to home. Jim- 
mie and me's goin' to see after supper. We hope you'll stay for 
a bite with us." 



9 

Minnie: "Thanks, Mrs. Anderson, I'll be glad to; we ain't 
had nary square meal to home of late, and a bite o' your cookin' 
would be so good. [Exit Mrs. A. and Jimmie.] 'sides spendin' 
a while with my financy where there ain't a pacel o' cryin' kids." 

[Minnie sits on table. Warrent stands by her.] 

Minnie: "I'm show glad you wrote me erbout savin' up that 
money. Pap give me five dollars an' I've been buyin' up my 
trousseau, an' on your money we kin have a trip to Columbia, 
ride in ortimobiles, go to movin' picters. and act like real swells.' 7 

[Warren starts to speak] "Minnie, I " 

Minnie: "With all that money, you kin buy me a lot o' lace 
an' silk stockings and red stuff for my face. Oh, it will be grand." 
[Grabs Warren around the neck impulsively.] 

Warren: "Minnie, I must tell you somethin' at once. I've had 
to pay my savings on the mortgage, an' I owe some more. I'll 
get right to work and make it and if you are willin' to wait a 
little while " 

Minnie : "What ! [Jumping from table and crossing to right 
front] Put me off like that ! You're jes' tellin' that to keep 
your money fer yourself. I don't mean to stand .'round 
waitin' fer no man. Ef you don't want we now, I'll go an' marry 
Buck Upshaw. He's promised to buy me a Ford car if I'll marry 
him, an' he'll take me on a trip clear to Atlanta. So there, now, 
Mr. Warren Anderson, keep your ole $500." 

Warren: "Minnie, you witch, I'm not tryin' to put you off'. 
I want you more'n anything in the worl', but I couldn't be a 
undutiful son, Minnie, ef you'll jes' be a little patient I'll soon 
have some more an' — " [Follows her and takes her hands.] 

Minnie [pushing him off and starting toward center door] : 
"Oh, I'm used to tales like that. Buck has the cash, and is willin' 
to spend it on me. That's what I'm after. I'm through with 
you " [Exit Minnie, center.] 

[Warren goes to the window, looks after her, dejected sinks 
on the bench.] 

[Enter Jimmie left. He has appeared in doorway during the 
above conversation.] 

Jimmie [goes to Warren with head bowed. Places hand on 
shoulder] : "Say, Buddie, don't worry 'bout her high fellutin' 
ways. I'd let Buck Upshaw have her, ef twus me, only he don't 
want her, fer I heard him laughin' 'bout her clown at Roberson's 
store the other day. And 'sides, Warren, she slaps the younguns 
around'. I wouldn't take her on a Christmas tree." 

Warren : "Kid, all that may be true but she's had a pretty 
hard time of it Maybe she's just a foolin' about Buck." 

[Enter Mr. A. with Miss Gary, center.] 

Mr. A. : "Warren, I met this lady down at the bank. She 
has something special to talk to us 'bout." 

[Miss Gary speaks to Jimmie on side.] "That's Jimmie and 
this is Warren, our soldier." [They shake hands. Mr. A. crosses 



10 

to left entrance and calls] : "Ole lady, come in, thar's a lady to 
see us." 

[Enter Mrs. Anderson, left, wiping her hands on her apron.] 

Mrs. A.: "Howdy, ma'am [shakes hands]. Won't you rest yer 
bonnet and be seated?" 

Miss Gary : "Thank you. Ill sit here." [Sits center.] 

Mrs. A. : "Jimmie, hang the lady's bonnet on the peg [ Jimmie 
does as bid] and run watch the biscuits to keep 'em from burnin'." 
[Exit left.] 

[Mr. A. sits by mantel, Mrs. A. by him, Warren back of table.] 

Miss Gary : "I suppose you want to know why I'm here, so I'll 
tell you about it right away. There is a movement in our State 
to teach men and women who didn't have a chance to go to school 
when they were young." 
the}^ were young." 

Mrs. A.: "You showly don't think you could larn old folks like 
me an' Pap anything?" 

Miss Gary : "'Yes, you are the very kind that we want to help. 
There is no age limit to it. Last summer, in one of our schools 
a woman about your age learned to read and write, and by the 
end of the three weeks could spell one hundred and fifty words. 
By the end of a few weeks many who had known nothing about 
reading or figures had learned enough to help them in their 
work." 

Mrs. A.: "How do you manage it?" 

Miss Gary: "There are different ways of carrying on the 
school. Sometimes we meet in the school house, or if the pupils 
like it better, we go into their homes and help them in small 
groups. We let our pupils say what time suits them best." 

Mrs. A. : "I don't zactly know when I could get time, though 
I would show love to have some learnin'. Seems like I wouldn't 
feel so bound in ef I could count my eggs and keep up with the 
price ar things better. I show would a love to a writ to my boy 
thar, thout havin' to git folks thet didn't have no heart in it to 
do it fer me." 

Miss Gary: "What time would suit you and Mr. Anderson 
best?" 

Mrs. A. : "I hardly has a t minute, but I guess you could have a 
all day session with Pap mos' any time, for he spends mos' ar 
his time er settin' roun'." 

Miss Gary: "Mr. Anderson, would you rather come to a day 
or night class?" 

[Mr. A. has been scowling during above, while W r arren has 
been beaming. Both have remained silent.] 

Mr. A. : "I'm agin the whole thing. Larnin' may be all right 
fer young folks, but such new tangled doings ain't for the likes 
of me and Ma. We been a livin' a good while like we is an' I 
guess we kin go on an' die that way." 



11 

Miss Gary: "This isn't something new. Where it has been 
tried men and women have become more useful and can be hap- 
pier. All I want is for you to give me a chance to help you. If 
you don't like it, you can stop at any time." 

Mr. A. : '"There won't be no stoppin' fer me fer there won't be 
no beginnin'. I'm agin such torn foolery from start to finish, 
and that's the end uv it." 

Warren : "No, Pap, that can't be the end of it. I've been lis- 
tening to what the young lady says, and I know as she's the kind 
to help us. Ef she'll try me, I want to get some more schoolin', 
and if she wants to meet in this house we'll turn it over to her 
as often as she wants." 

Mr. A. [angrily] : ""When did you get to tellin' yer old dad 
whut to do?" 

Warren : "I ain't tellin' you what to do, but I have part inter- 
est in this house, and I'm a sayin' facts." 

Mrs. A. : "Mercy, I believe Jimmie's letting the biscuits burn." 
[Exit left.] 

[Warren and Miss Gary talk on the side.] 

Mr. A. [Crossing, looks out left entrance] : "I guess I'd better 
look into this. Thar he sets with a book. That's whut edicashun 
has done for one member of my family. Now, ef my ole woman 
gets such notions I guess I'll be eatin' cinders the rest o' my 
natural life. Come here to me, sir [to Jimmie outside], [Exit 
left.] 

Miss Gary: ''Your father seems prejudiced, but with yours 
and your mother's help, and when we show him some real bis- 
cuits, maybe we can interest him. Now, if we can arrange for a 
group meetings in your house -twice a week for eight weeks, I'll 
go on to some of the others." 

Warren : "Bet your life you can." [Gets her hat from peg.] 

Miss Gary: "Thank you. Good-bye." 

Warren: "Good-bye. [Exit Miss Gary, center). And as many 
side meetings as she choose." [Enter Jimmie, left.] 

Warren: "Kid, if I can go on with my schoolin' maybe 1 
won't mind so much about Minnie Niagara." 

Jimmie: "Schoolin' don't make me no tougher when Pa beats 
me, but maybe it will help your feelings about Minnie." 

Curtains. 

ACT II. 

Eight months later. Room arranged for closing session of 
night school. Folding blackboard at one side. Eight chairs 
around table. Beginning at center pupils are seated in following 
order: Jimmie, Warren, Minnie, Buck, Mrs. Roebuck, Mrs. An- 
derson, Mr. Anderson. American flags over mantel, room neater 
than in previous scene. 



12 

Discovered. — Miss Gary assorting some papers by a table. 
Mary Ferguson seated by her. Mr. Anderson seated by fireplace. 
Enter Warren. 

Warren: "I've finished it [pitching Adult Primer in the air], 
and next week I'm going to begin on the Bible." 

Miss Gary: "That's great, and I hope there won't be any 
stopping until you've gotten your college diploma." 

Warren : "No, ma'am, I don't expect to stop then. Let me read 
you the [name of local paper] to show how good I can do it." 

Miss Gary : "All right, let's hear it." 

[Warren reads locals arranged for each town.] 

[The following may be used as an outline, though it is better 
to get the latest hits in each community :] 

Warren [reading] : "The following panel of jurors has been 

drawn for court convening the first week in (Names of 

men and women of varying ages and classes)." 

Warren [reading] : "The town of is suffering from a 

matrimonial epidemic. Due to the nature of the malady, it is 
thought best that no names be published." 

Mr. A.: "I heard that Miss (name of old maid) wuz one of 
those." 

Warren : "No, I asked her about it, and she said that it wasn't 
so, but she's thanked the Lord for the report." 

Warren [reading] : "The whole town was greatly aroused this 
week to learn that Mrs had dyed — " 

Mary F. : "What?" 

Warren : "Oh, that ain't all. [Reads] "Her old coat." 

Mary and Miss Gray: "Oh!" 

Warren [reading] : "Miss has two charming young 

ladies, Misses and visiting her." 

Mr. A. : "I know two old bachelors that'll be glad to hear it — 
ole Mr and Mr " 

Warren [still reading] : "Miss Gary, I can't make out this 
word." 

Miss Gary : "Get your dictionary and look it up." 

Mary Ferguson: "Didn't you know [name of local character 
dealing in big words] had swallowed it?" 

Warren: "I know now. [Reads]: "Harrington — Mr. H. A. 
Harrington, a prominent young business man of Rockton, has 
taken charge of the Laurens Glass Factory with Mr. Peyton, 
already employed by that firm. He bids fair to make a big suc- 
cess in his new field " 

Mary: "Oh. Miss Gary! he's your Mr. Harrington " 

Miss Gary [blushingly begins] You absurd child " 

Mary : "Oh, you needn't deny it, for I believe you like him, too. 
Warren, you haven't seen Miss Gary's beau?" 

Warren: "No, 'spec I will some day. [Continues to read 
paper.] "It says here he's lookin' out 'for S-i-1-i-c-a. What's 
that?" 



13 

Miss Gary: "That's the kind of sand they use for making 
glass. You remember the scientist who was here last month, said 
that it is found on your place?" 

Warren: "Yes, and maybe this Mr. Harrington of yours will 
buv some of it from me." 

Miss Gary : "A splendid idea. You must write to him about 

it." 

[Enter Mrs. Anderson, notebook in hand, and Mrs. Roebuck 

with baby.] , . . . . . 

Mrs. Anderson : "Here's some of the things about cooking 1 
got Miss Gary to write down. I like this one about not frying 
everything." TT _. 

Mrs. Roebuck: "She's done learned us a heap. Howdy, Miss 
Gary. I had to bring Liza Ann along to keep her from eatin 
the cotton out'n the pillers. She's got a liken for it and ever 
time I leave her to home she eats the stuffin' out'n the sofie pillers. 
I hope you don't keer." 

Miss Gary: "Not at all. We're glad to have the children. 
Good evening, Mrs. Anderson." 

Mrs. Anderson : "Good evenin', ma'am." 

[Enter Jimmie.] , 

Jimmie : Miss Gary, I clone learned a speech for today. Fleas m 
let me sav it before it slips my mind." 

Miss Gary : |'Go right ahead." 

Jimmie [bowing] : 

"Merry have we met, 
Merry have we been, 
Merry may we part 
And merry meet again." 

[If desired another speech may be substituted.] 

[Baby cries.] Mary: "I'll take the baby out and play with 
her." [Exit left.] 

[Enter trustees, Mr. Cox and Mr. Farrow.] 

Miss Gary: "How do you do, Mr. Cox [shaking hands], and 
Mr. Farrow. [They bow.] "I am so glad you've called today 
to see some of the things which we have done in the past eight 
weeks. Won't you have these seats?" [Pointing to chairs near 
the mantel.] [Mr. A. crosses to chair left end of table.] 

Mr. Cox: "Thank you." [They are seated.] 

[Enter Minnie, powdering her nose] : "Howdy, folks." [Makes 
Jimmie give her chair by Warren. Followed by Chaney, who 
carries a ham which he places on table.] 

Chaney : "Miss Gary, I wanted to show you how much I think 
uv you fer helping me like you done, and I want to make this 
little present. If I wuz to give the way I feel, I'd a brought the 
whole pig, but I was afraid you couldn't git it in your trunk. 

Miss Gary: "Thank vou very much, Chaney. You are very 
thoughtful. Now we will begin our work. We are going to 
follow our regular program with a few closing exercises added. 



14 

To get us all feeling good we will sing, one of the songs which 
we have learned. What do you choose?" 

Jimmie : "'The Star Spangled Banner." 

Chaney : "Naw, I don't like them bums bustin' in th' hair." 

Warren: "Dixieland." 

Minnie: "There Are Books for Little Children." 

Mrs. A. : "Keep the Home Fires Burnin'. I like to sing that 
one 'cause it makes me so glad to have my boy back again." 

Mr. A. : "That, or 'Let the Women Do the Work.' " 

Miss Gary : "There are so many suggestions that we will have 
to vote on it. Those in favor of 'Star Spangled Banner' raise 
their hands, etc." 

Mr. A. : "Too high." [One vote.] 

Miss Gary : ''Dixieland." 

Mrs. A. : "Nope." [One hand.] 

Miss Gary: "There Are Books for Little Children." [All 
hands.] 

Miss Gary : "I will call Mary to play for us. [Goes to door 
and calls]: Mary, will you play for us?" [Mary goes to the 
organ. They cross to organ and sing heartily.] 

Miss Gary : "Now, I guess we are all ready with our jokes." 

[When possible use local names in jokes.] 

[Jimmie in chair right of table.] 

Jimmie: "Let me tell mine first." 

Miss Gary : "All right." 

Jimmie : ''Once a boy and a girl was sittin' under a apple tree. 
The girl said : 'Listen to that tree a moanin'.' 'Yep,' says the boy, 
'You'd be a moanin' too if you was as full of green apples as that 
tree.'" [All laugh.] 

Minnie Niagara: "That ain't ez funny es mine" [giggling]. 
"Two boys wuz agoin' down the street when they passes a pretty 
girl. One uv 'em says after they'd got by, 'Did you see that 
pretty girl smile at me awhile ago?' The other one says, 'That 
ain't nothin', I nearly laughed myself to death the first time I 
seen you.' " 

Miss Gary: ''Mrs. Roebuck, what funny story have you?" 

Mrs. Roebuck: "Mine ain't much, but it kinder tickled me the 
other day to hear my little Susie tell this one : She axed why is 
a baby an' a widcler alike. Kin anybody answer it?" 

[Pupils answer, "No."] 

Mrs. Roebuck : " 'Cause they both cry f er the first six months, 
then the second six months they begin to take notice, an' it's 
hard to get through the second summer." 

Mrs. A. : "Mine's a true one. The other night Eliza Stokes had 
meat fer supper, whut she told her husband wuz spring lamb, 
and he said, 'Yep, I knows it. I's been a chewing on one of the 
springs fer the last five minute." 

Minnie : "It must a been out your store, Mr. Chaney." 

Mr. A.: Or [name of local meat market.] 



15 

Chaney : "Some folks say as it's that way from both of them. 
Speakin' o' animals it reminds me o' the time brother Johnson 
wuz going aroun' this section askin' about how many Episcopals 
they wuz. He came to old Miss Mary Jane Jessups and when he 
ax her she said, 'I don't exactly know whether thars any around 
here. My old man's always huntin' and the hides of the critters 
is hanging up down in the barn so you kin go down and look.' '' 

Mr. A.: "I jes' been waiting to tell you 'bout the meetin' 
Brother Johnson held fer married men. Along toward the end 
he got to exhortin' all the married men whut had troubles with 
they partners uv their bosoms to stand up. All 'cept one man 
way back in the corner riz. Parson says, 'Ah, my man, you're 
one in a million.' 'Taint that' 'spons the fellow, 'I can't it up, 
I'm paralyzed.' " 

Mrs. A. : "Maybe he wuz too lazy." 

[Enter Buck Upshaw, center, breathless.] 

Buck: "I just got out in time to come." 

Miss Gary: ''Out of what?" 

Buck: "Out of jail. I got locked up fer givin' Hal Jackson a 
black eye fer sayin' readin 1 warn't no good." 

Miss Gary: "Well, I'm glad you got here and we are just 
ready for your joke." 

Buck : " Yes'm. I got a good one on ole Bill Warner who lives 
over in Huck a Boo Swamp. His wife went kinder out o' her 
head onct, and after stedying a while Bill says he didn't see 
whut done it, fer she ain't went out o' the back yard in nigh on 
to twenty years." 

Miss Gary : "Now, we will begin our arithmetic lesson." 
[Writes problem on board. J "If one cake of soap costs twenty- 
three cents what will forty-eight cakes cost?" 

Buck: 'It would take a heap of washin' to use up that much." 

[All work on paper laboriously.] 

Mrs. A. : Addin' or times?" 

Mr. A.: "I got it. $11.04 (eleven dollars and 4 cent). Who 
would a thought I ever could do it !" 

Miss Gary : "That's correct. If one can of beans cost 19c, how 
much would thirty-three cost?" 

Mrs. A.: "I know that— $6.27 (six dollars, 27 cent). Chaney, 
your clerk tried to charge me 28c the other day and I begun on 
my three tables and found out he wuz wrong." 

Mr. A. : "Chaney, you be kerful how you treat my ole 'oman. I 
has to pay fer it." 

Miss Gary : "If 1 pound of candy costs $1.40, how much would 
ten pounds cost?" 

Buck: "$14.00." 

Minnie [disdainfully] : ''You must a been sendin' some to 
know so quick how much it costs." 

Miss Garv : "Now, what is the entire bill ?" 



16 

Mr. A. : "Wait. I got one I want to put in, afore you add it 
all up. "Pother day Ben Higgins went to Chaney's store and ax 
how much candy wuz. 'Six sticks fer five cent,' says Chaney. 
Ben he thought a minute an' says, 'If six sticks is fer 5 cent, then 
five sticks would be 4 cent, four sticks would be 3 cent, three 
sticks would be 2 cent, two sticks would be 1 cent, and one stick 
would be nothin'. I'll take the one stick.' "• [All laugh.] 

Miss Gary: "Now, what is the entire bill?" 

Mrs. Roebuck: "That's a heap o' addin', but it's the kind of 
figgerin' Susie and Janie's alus axin' 'bout. Won't I be proud to 
show 'em how to do they sums." 

[Mary Ferguson goes over and helps her.] 

Miss Gary : '' Jimmie, put yours on the board." 

[Jimmie writes] : 11.04 Four, eleven. Put down one, carry one. 

6.27 Three. 
14.00 Four, ten, eleven. Put down one, 

— carry one. 

$31.33 Two, three. [Reads answer.] 
Miss Gary : "We will now have our reading lesson. Turn to 
page 2 in our readers. Mr. Anderson, we will let you read today." 

" Results of Keeping Children from School. 

"James Jordan sent his children to school every day. He never 
let them stay for work or weather or for anything except sick- 
ness. 

"Do you see that well-kept farm over there with that large 
house and barn and that fine crop of hay? That is where James 
Jordan's son lives. Another fine farm near here is owned by 
James Jordan's daughter. 

"William once owned a farm of the same size and value as that 
of his neighbor, James Jordan. William kept his children from 
school to pick beans, he kept them to shuck corn, he kept them 
to pick cotton, he kept them to worm tobacco, and he kept them 
at home whenever he could find an excuse. His children dropped 
behind and could not keep up with the others in their classes. 
They soon became discouraged and quit school. 

"Do you see that small tenant house? That is where William 
Boiling's son lives. He is a tenant on the farm of James Jordan's 
son. William Boiling's daughter married a lazy, good-for- 
nothing fellow. He sits up and smokes his pipe on the porch 
while his wife is nothing but a drudge in the home. William 
Boiling left his children houses and lands, but they did not know 
how to take care of them. 

"Education makes the difference in the condition of these two 
families." 

Miss Gary : "That is very good. You are improving greatly, 
Mr. Anderson. Now we are going to let Buck recite his favorite 
selection from the Primer for us. Come around to the front, 
Buck." [Buck crosses to the front.] 



17 

Buck [Recites] : Get's mixed up and says, "I am repelled to 
begin agin." 

"God made man, 

Woman makes bread. 

It takes the bread 

That woman makes 

To sustain the man 

That God made. 

But the bread 

That some women make 

Would not sustain any man 

That God ever made." 

Miss Gary : "Now, we Avill write a letter. Let's make it to 
our Supervisor of Adult Schools, telling her how we like the 
work, and why." 

Buck: "Kin I put My dear Miss Gray?" 

[Miss Gary bows assent,] 

Warren : "He can put my to her, but I'll punch his head if he 
goes try in' it on any of our other teachers." 

[Miss Gary moves around among pupils as they write, helping 
them with words, punctuation, etc.] 

Miss Gary : "Chaney, we will let you read your letter." 

[Chaney reads] : "Blankville, S. C, August 30, 1919. 

"Dear Miss Gray : 

"I like our night school fine. I like it mos' because it helps me 
to keep my store. I know better how to count things, 

"Yours truly, 

"Chaney Lawton." 

Jimmie : "Minnie says she likes to come to school so's she can 
see her beau." 

Minnie : "I didn't no sech thing.' ; 

Jimmie : "Did." 

Minnie: "Didn't. [Looking over Warren's shoulder.] You 
oughter see what Warren's wrote." 

Miss Gary: "Let's hear yours Warren." 

Warren [looks confused, reads] : 
"Dear Miss Gray: 

"I like to go to night school because it helps me to get a start 
to a real college education. I want to be something' an' it takes 
learning to do it. 

"Yours truly, 
"Warren Anderson." 

Minnie Niagara : "That ain't all. On this one whut he dropped 
on the floor he says, 'I like to go most of all 'cause I love my 
teacher.' " 

[All show surprise.] 



18 

Mr. A. : "And that's good enough reason for all uv us. I can't 
say all I want to in my letter, 'cause I don't know how to spell 
all the words yet, but I kin stand on my two legs and say out 
that this school has meant mo' to me than anything that's ever 
happened to me in my life. It's some how like getting religion, 
and seems to have peeled the scales offin' my eyes. As you all 
know I wuz powerful again it at first, but I somehow couldn't 
keep out of it, and the little learnin' I've got makes me feel like 
a free man and twenty years younger. Instead of hinderin' my 
boys now I'm going to do all I kin to help them with their 
schoolin', and even my ole 'oman has got my consent to pack all 
she kin into her head for instead uv making her burn up biscuits, 
it helps her cook 'em ten times better'n she done before." 

[Sits down, wiping the perspiration from brow. Enthusiastic 
buzz.] 

Mrs, A. : "You done said some more gospel. Them's my senti- 
ments." 

Minnie : "He show spit a parable." 

Mr. Farrow : "I'd like to say right here that Miss Gary deserves 
every word of praise we can say for her, not only for her work in 
this school, but for the individual work in the community. Right 
on my own place she's helped my overseer, who was so ashamed 
of being ignorant that he didn't even want to join this little 
group. She has taken him by himself for a whole lot of lessons, 
and now he's worth about twice as much to me. And he's not 
the only one. [Sits down.] 

MissGary: "Thank you." 

Miss Gary : "Thank you. Our hour is up for today, and after 
we have saluted the flag our last lesson will be over." 

All rise and together say : 

"I pledge allegiance to my flag, and the republic for which it 
stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

[Pupils and trustees flock around Miss Gary, telling her good- 
bye.] 

Miss Gary : "I'm sorry to leave you all, but if I'm to catch the 
five-thirty I must hurry." 

Buck : "We showly hates to tell you good-bye." 

Mr. Cox: "Miss Gary, you've done noble work. I'm goin' to 
try to see that you get a five-dollar raise next session." 

Mr. Farrow : "I'm sorry to tell you that the other day I was 
talking to some of the people who takes in boarders, and they 
said that on account of the way prices were going they'd have to 
charge $5 more a month board, but we sure do thank you for 
what you have done." 

Miss Gary : "Thank you. Can't all of you come down to the 
station with me to say good-bye?" 

All: "Yes'm." [Follow her out, talking, "we hates to see her 
go." etc.] 



19 

[On the outside they yell] : 

"Day school, day school. 

Take a back seat. 
Night school, night school, 
Got 'em far beat." 

[Exit all except Warren, who looks dejected, and Minnie 
Niagara.] 

Minnie : "I'm sorry I done it, Warren. I done it jes' fer a 
joke to tease yon." 

Warren: "Oh, that's all right, Minnie." 

Minnie: "Please don't be mad, for I don't feel good when 
you're at outs with me." [Exit.] 

Warren: "I shouldn't have minded, but I didn't mean for her 
to know yet. I guess Minnie is more my kind." [Picks up local 
paper.] 

[Enter Jimmie, who hands him a note from Miss Gary.] 

Jimmie : "Here's a note from Miss Gary. I don't see what 
she's writing about five minutes after she's left."' 

Warren: "She says: [Reads aloud] 'Be sure not to forget to 
write Mr. Harrington. It seems to me a splendid chance for 
you.' " [Stops reading aloud suddently.] 

Jimmie: "Why don't you go on?" 

Warren: "She's jes' a savin' good-bye in the rest of it." [Puts 
it in his pocket.] 

Jimmie : "Funny she didn't write one to all of us." 

Warren : "You're too young to know." 

Jimmie: "Good night." 

Warren [reading local paper] : "Jimmie, I've got a plan." 

Jimmie: "What is it?" 

Warren : "You know that science man who was down here in 
July ? He told me that the kind of sand on our place is good for 
making glass. I see in this paper where the new folks in the 
Laurens glass factory are looking for that kind of sand. They 
call it 'silica'. I'm going to write them about it. Think, Jimmie, 
I kin write it all by myself now, and sign my own name. [Sits 
with pen in hand for a while.] Wonder how much sand it will 
take to put us through school." 

Curtain. 

ACT III. 

Several weeks later. Scene same as Act I. Increased tidiness. 
Curtains at windows, etc. 

Discovered — Jimmie reading. Knock at center door. 

Jimmie: "Good night. I wish folks would quit botherin' me 
and give me a chance to spend a few quiet hours with Robinson 
Crusoe." [Opens door.] 

[Enter Mary and Miss Gary.] 

Mary: "Howdy, Jimmie. You know I told you Miss Gary 
was coming by today?" 



20 

Jimmie : "Yep, and we's showly been stirrin' up some dust to 
git ready for her. 

Miss Gary : "I hope your mother hasn't gone to any trouble, 
but the room certainly is improved." 

Jimmie: "Tain't only ma. Me and Pap an' Warren all been 
a helpin'. I'll go tell 'em you'se here, 'cause they'se powerful 
anxious to see you." [Exit Jimmie left.] 

[Knock at center door. Mary opens it. Enter H. and Peyton.] 

Mr. H. [curtly] : "Is this the home of Mr. Warren Anderson? 
[Seeing Miss Gary] How do you do, Miss Gary? It's an unex- 
pected pleasure to find you here." 

Miss Gary [shakes hands] : "I'm glad to see you." 

[Mr. H. introduces Peyton.] 

Marv : "If you want to see Mr. Anderson, I'll go call him." 

Mr. H. : "Thank you." [Exit Mary.] "And while we wait for 
him, Peyton, I suggest that you go over to the old Amos man's 
house." 

Peyton: "All right. You certainly know how to trim edges, 
Harrington. [Exit Peyton center.] 

Mr. H. : "Miss Gary, this is an opportunity which means a 
great deal to me." 

Miss Gary : "I'm glad that it is to your advantage, but most of 
all, I am glad for these people, whose sand you are going to buy. 
You have a big chance to help them." 

Mr. H. : "Oh ! I'm not talking about these common people, or 
their dirt. What I mean is the chance to have a few words with 
you." 

Miss Gary : "You needn't speak so contemptuously of my 
friends. They are as good as you or I. Poverty and ignorance 
have been their curse." 

Mr. H. : "I beg your pardon. I meant no offence. To give any 
would be my last thought. You know that I think too much of 
you to hurt you in any way." 

Miss Gary: "You have been kind in many things, but I don't 
like your attitude to my work." 

Mr. H. : "That is because it fills your life so that I am crowded 
out. I am jealous of it." 

[Enter Mary, center.] 

Mary : "Warren will be here in a few minutes. He said to tell 
3 7 ou to wait. And, Miss Gary, we must run along now, for mama 
called to me that we have company." 

Mr. H. to Miss G. : "I hope that I may see you again soon, 
and prove my point more clearly." 

Miss Gary : "You have rather a hard task, for my work is 
everything to me. Good-bye." 

[Exit Mary and Miss Gary, left.] 

Mr. H. : "I'm not easily discouraged, so good-bye for the 
present." 

[Enter Peyton, center.] 



21 

Peyton : "Bud Amos wasn't at home, but will be back shortly.'' 

Mr. H. : "Very good. I think we can get what we want here. 

Mr! H. [looking around room] : "It's just as I thought. Sim- 
ple farm people. We can offer the boy $25 a month for all the 
silica we need. He'll never realize the real value of it and that 
will seem like a gold mine to him." 

Mr. Peyton : "Harrington, that isn't my way of doing busi- 
ness. The factory is able to pay and should pay the usual rate 
per ton, which is small enough. Saving in such matters wont 
get us a nv where." . 

Harrington: "Peyton, you are worse than a girl; always 
having cold feet over something. Cutting off a few edges won t 
hurt. Nobody will be wiser and all that we save is our profit. 
[They hear some one approaching.] Just watch how my plan 

works." , , 

[Enter Mr. Anderson, center, surprised, approaches and shakes 

hands.] 

Mr. A. : "Good evenin', gentlemen." 

Mr. H. : "Good afternoon. I suppose this is Mr. Warren An- 
derson ?" 

Mr. A. : "Nop, I'm his Pap. Won't you have a seat?" 

Mr. H. : "We've come down to see your son about the silica 
which is on vour farm." , 

Mr. A.: "I didn't know thar wuz no sech wild creeter roun 
these parts. 

Mr. H.: "I beg vour pardon, I wasn't speaking of a wild 
animal. I meant a 'kind of sand which is found on your place, 
and which is used in making glass." 

Mr. A.: "Oh, is that it. Well, I'll be powerful glad to get rid 
of all of it I kin. You kin have all you want jest fer the hauling 

Mr. H. : "You are very generous, but I really couldn't take 
such an advantage of you. I would insist on paying you some- 
thing. Sav, $10.00 a month if that is agreeable." 

Mr. A.f "Showly that seems like a heap o' money fer plain 
dirt, but I guess you know whut you're offerin'." 

Mr. H. : "Well, I'm rather rushed, so if we can get the agree- 
ment signed we must hurry on. [Gets out paper.] If you sign 
here it will be all fixed." 

[Mr. A. takes paper; goes to table; gets pen and ink. Puts on 
glasses verv deliberately. Harrington, looking pleased, and 
Pevton looking troubled/ begin to talk on side.] 

Mr A • "From what I kin gether this here writin' means that 
I'm to let you have all the sand you want offin' my place for 
$10.00 per month?" 

Mr. H.: "Correct. And if you hurry you will oblige me 

greatlv." _ , 

Mr/ A. : "A man learnin' to write after he's seventy can t get 

up much speed." 



22 

[Enter Warren.] 

Warren : "Good evening, gentlemen ; I suppose you have come 
down about the silica on our farm? [Discovers Mr. A. writing.l 
What are you up to, Dad?" 
[Harrington irritated.] 

Mr. A. : "These gentlemen, Mr. Harrington and Mr. Peyton, 
[Warren gives quick interested look] have just made us an offer 
of $10.00 a month fer some dirt off'n our farm, and I thought 
we'd do Avell to be rid uv it." 

Mr. H. : "We were in a hurry, so we discussed the matter with 
your father, and he thinks our offer unusually generous. Have 
you finished signing?" 

Warren [steps to table and takes paper up] : "My Dad don't 
know nothing about this business. [Tears paper.] An' you're jes' 
been trying to take him in." 

Mr. H. : "He offered to give it to us, so you needn't act high 
handed. If twenty-five will suit you, we can trade at that. Sign 
your name here. We are anxious to catch the 6:30 to Columbia, 
so we will appreciate your being in a hurry." 

Warren: "You can catch the 6:30, but it will be without my 
signature." 

Mr. H. : "Oh, well, make your mark." 

Warren : "I don't have to, and I'm glad I have sense enough 
to see through this scheme of yours. I know that the silica you 
use every month comes to a heap mor'n $25.00, if you pay the 
regular price, and I don't mean to be cheated in no such way." 

Mr. H. : "Oh, very well; if that's the way you feel about it, 
we'll go around to see one of your neighbors and make a trade." 

Warren: "You can't skeer me that way, fer I know Bud 
Amos is the only one in this section 'sides us with silica land, 
and he ain't got enough sand to part with any. When you can 
offer me a square deal I'll trade." 

Peyton: "Harrington, I've stood as much of this as I can. 
What he says is true, and there's no use wasting more words. 
We might as well sign for a year's supply on his farm." 

Mr. Harrington : "I wash my hands of it. You and this fel- 
low must be in league." 

Mr. Peyton : "Very well, Mr. Anderson, here's our agreement 
for a year's supply at $3.00 a ton, our regular rate." 

Warren [reads] : "That's fair enough." [Signs.] 

Mr. Peyton: "That is all, so we will say good-bye." [They 
shake hands,] 

[Harrington nods curtly. Peyton and Harrington exit, center.] 

Mr. A. : "I don't understand these new fanglecl ways — I guess 
it takes schoolin', er maybe I wuz jest born a darn fool. [Exit, 
center.] 

Warren [aside] : "That man — Miss Gary'9 friend — will bear 
watching." 

[Enter Jimmie, left.] 



23 



Warren : "Buddie, I see us as college men doin' big things." 
Jimmie: "Which one of those guys dropt a gold mine in 

here 1 j 

Warren : "Neither, but one of them is willin' to give a gold 

mine fer some of my sand." 

Jimmie : "Good night ! I wish Ma would take a turn like that 
'stead of always tellin' me to wash since Miss Gary was here. 
Even Pa's decided to wash his hands every day now, and 1 ve 
seen him helping Ma bring in the stovewood twice. Aint it 
funny how learnin' affects folks?" 

Warren : 'Does it seem to have changed anybody else around 

here ? " 

Jimmie : "Seems to me like Minnie Niagara's about to be a 
real lady since she's got to copyin' Miss Gary's way o dressm 
and leavin' off that red stuff from her face, and she am t slapped 
the twins in a week." 

[Enter Mary Ferguoon, center, open letter m hand.J 
Mary ■ "Oh, Warren, listen to the good news. I've just gotten 
the scholarship to Winthrop this fall, and I can go and learn to 
be a real school teacher like Miss Gary is doing. She is a junior 
and I'm just a freshman, it will be wonderful to be near her. 

Warren : "That is good news. Looks like it must be Christ- 
mas Day or Fourth of July for all of us." 

Jimmie: "Goodnight! I believe all of Elko Township s. got 
the schoolin' germ, and the whole place has gone batty. 

Mary [has started out] : "Oh, Warren, I was about to forget 
to tell* you. Miss Gary wants you to come over to our house 
before she leaves tonight. There's something special she wants 
to see you about." 

Warren : "I know it must be Christmas Day now. 

Mary: "Has Santa called on you yet, Jimmie?" 

Jimmie: "Goodnight! Nope! And I don't keer for I don t 
think he's givin' nothing 'cept school scholarships today in place 

of plain sand." .,,-.■, 

Warren : "Yes, and maybe plain sand will help me get some- 
thing besides school scholarships." 

Jimmie [to Mary] : "Good night. [Disgusted] What does he 
mean?" 

[Enter Mr. A.] 

Mr A • "Them two duclv fellows that's jes' been here didnt 
catch the 6:30 they talked such a heap about. They wuznt 
traveling by train. I followed 'em er while going off in their 
sporty ortimobile, and they stopped by Bud Amos' house. 

Warren: "That doesn't sound good. They'll be cheatin' the 
old man worse'n they tried to do us." 

Mr. A. : "That's jes' what I 'lowed. Maybe I ain't sech a durn 

fool after all." 

Curtain. 



24 

ACT IV. 

Five years later. A week before Christmas. Great improve- 
ment in appearance of room. New furnishings. Holly wreaths 
in window and other Christmas touches. Modern dining room. 
Fire in the grate. 

Discovered. — Mr. Anderson, reading paper by fire. Mrs. An- 
derson adding Christmas touches. 

Mrs. A. : "I wonder if Jimmie won't ever get through washin'. 
I'm thankful he has learned to keep clean, but I wish he would 
hurry along now, for I'm afraid Miss Gary's train will be in 
before he gets himself down there." 

Mr. A. : "Since I had some learnin', looks like I don't have the 
rheumatiz so bad, so I don't think getting out in the cold will 
hurt me, and I hate for her to get in without some of us to meet 
her." 

Mrs. A. : "Well, wrap up, and I don't guess it'll give you any 
more misery." 

[Mr. A. puts on coat and hat. Mrs. A. straightens his hat and 
muffler. Exit left. Mrs. A. straightens room.] 

Knock [Mrs. A. opens door. Enter Miss Gary.] 

Mrs. A. : "Howdy do ! I'm sorry we didn't get down in time. 
Pa's just left the house to meet you." 

Miss Gary: "That's all right. I ran across the vacant lots 
and I guess I missed him that way." 

Mrs. A. : "Well, child, take off your things." 

[Enter Jimmie, left.] 

Mrs. A. : "Here's Jimmie, he can take them upstairs for you." 

Miss Gary : "Hello, Jimmie ! How you have grown ! Most 
ready for high school I guess." 

Jimmie [bashfully] : "Yes'm." [Exit with wraps.] 

Mrs. A. : "Warren says Jimmie must surely have a college edu- 
cation, and his Pa and I are plannin' that way." 

Miss Gary: "How is Warren?" 

[They sit by fire.] 

Mrs. A. : "He's certainly making good progress and I won't 
ever forget that you kinder set us on our feet. He is sorry he 
can't get home until nex' week. He has junior examination then. 
He hates awful to miss your visit. How do you like your work 
helpin' with all the grown folks' school? It seems like you're 
powerful young for such a job?" 

Miss Gary : "Yes, it is a big work, but not as hard as it was 
for those who started it six years ago. We are only reaping 
what they sowed, and in another year or two everybody in South 
Carolina will be able to read their Bibles, their letters, and the 
newspapers for themselves." 

[Enter Mary Ferguson.] 

Miss Gary: "Mary!". 

Mary: "Harriett!" [They embrace.] "Howdy do, Mrs. An- 
derson." 



25 

Mrs. A. : "Howdy, Mary. I'm going to leave you girls to enter- 
tain yourselves for a few minutes, if you will excuse me." [Exit 
left.] 

Miss Gary : "Tell me how you like your work ? Is being school 
marm better than learning how to be?" [Sits in front of fire.] 

Mary : "Oh, I love both, but nothing could be more fun than 
teaching my pupils who are eager to get what they missed when 
they were children." 

Miss Gary : "I'm glad you like it for I have a trust to pass on 
to you." 

Mary : "What do you mean ? You talk as though you expected 
to die." 

Miss Gary: "No, not that, though it may be worse [laughing]. 
[Then serious.] "I want to tell you all about it. My father is 
very old and feeble and I'm afraid won't be with me much 
longer. He is anxious that I should 'settle down' as he expresses 
it, before he leaves me, and it does seem that I am due him that 
much satisfaction." 

Mary: "Who is the lucky man?" 

Miss Gary: "That's where the pinch comes. You remember a 
Mr. Harrington connected with the glass factory in Laurens? I 
have gone with him for several years, and I like him heaps. He 
says the real thing will come later." 

Mary : "Risky business, I think." 

Miss Gary : "Yes, it seems so, and especially since my heart is 
involved elsewhere [dreamily]. That seems so hopeless. But 
enough of myself. The place where you come in is that I want 
to suggest you as my successor." 

Mary: "Me!" 

Miss Gary: "Yes, your heart is in the cause and you are 
thoroughly capable." 

Mary: "It would be wonderful, but must you really give it 
up?" 

Miss Gary: "Yes, honey; I have written a note telling Mr. 
Harrington to come Sunday for his final answer, and I only 
waited to mail it until I had mentioned it to you." 

[Enter Jimmie, left.] 

Miss Gary : "Here is Jimmie, I'll get him to run and mail it. 
Jimmie, you won't mind running down and dropping this in the 
postoffice for me, will you?" 

Jimmie: "Not a bit [looking at note], only I'd rather be mail- 
ing it to Warren. Even in September he had a regular Christmas 
when one of your letters came." 

Miss Gary : "Well, Jimmie, I'll write him another so he can 
celebrate at the proper date, just to satisfy you." 

[Exit Jimmie, center.] 



26 

Mary: "Harriett, you know Warren still writes to Minnie 
Niagara, and she talks like they're going to get married. It 
seems funny that he should waste himself on her when so many* 
fine girls are crazy about him." [Miss Gary winces slightly.] 

Miss Gary: "Has Minnie improved any?" 

Mary: "For awhile it looked like she would do better, but 
she's gone back to where she started from. She hasn't any more 
ambition than a flea." 

[Enter Mrs. Anderson.] 

Mrs. A. : "Have you seen Jimmie?" 

Mary: "He's just gone to mail a letter for Harriett." 

Mrs. A. : "Mary, please run after him and tell him to stop by 
Kobertson's and bring me a can of baking powder. I'm clean out 
and I need it for supper biscuits." 

Mary: "All right, ma'am." [Exit.] 

Mrs. A. : We'll sit down and talk til' she gets back. [Starts to 
sit.] [Enter Mary, center.] 

Mary : "Look who's coming, Mrs. Anderson." 

Miss Gary [looking out]: "Warren!" 

[Enter Warren.] 

Warren: "Well, Mother, Miss Gary, Mary." [Greets each.] 

Mrs. A.: "How did you manage to get away?" 

Warren : "Oh, I shuffled out of two exams, and made it a few 
days earlier." 

Mary : "Minnie told me you had wired her about it, but said 
it was a secret, so I kept mum." 

[Warren looks troubled. Miss Gary tries to conceal nervous 
jealousy.] 

Mary : "I'll run on now and see about the baking powder." 
[Exit center.] 

Mrs. A. : "Thank you, and I'll look after supper. [Exit left.] 

Warren : "Oh, Harriett, I've nearly crammed myself to death 
to finish up my exams, and get down in time for your visit." 

Miss Gary: "I suppose that is what you wired Minnie?" 

Warren: "That was about an affair of hers she wants me to 
help her with. If I tell, it will spoil it all, but please trust me, 
that was all." 

Miss Gary: "It's very immaterial." [Indifferently.] 

Warren : "Is that the way you feel when it means everything 
to me? I'm just a school boy yet, though I'm old enough to be 
through. I don't feel worthy to ask you, but I'm afraid to keep 
on waiting. I must tell you that I love you better than anything 
else in the world." 

Miss Gary [agitated] : "I am sorry that I misjudged you." 

Warren: "All that I may ever be is due to your inspiration 
and help, and since the first day I saw you I've dreamed about 
and planned for the day when I could ask you to be my very 
own." 

Harriett: "I'm afraid that can never be." 



27 



Warren [dejected] : "I should have known that I was asking 

%Tss C Gary: "A real man like you can't ask too much. You 

" War^Q^s'crossed to center, turns] : "My, but .you are good 
to say that. What is the trouble, then [doubtfully] ? Can it be 

^M^Gary: "Warren, let's clear up that point at once [Sits 
beside her T I have known your family for five years. They are 
Sf W h mod and the thing which means most they are able to 
J tW, Thev have showed the same old pioneer spirit which 
fkSJK the white man, and the kind of courage 
wS has held it for civilization down through, the present war. 
The^m of five years past was due to the misfortune of pov- 
erty fndTgnorance y All that they needed was a helping hand to 

*w£5£ ""we can never forget that you came like a 

"IIS Gar?: g0 "Th^Ts"a pretty thought, but to be perfectly 
truthful, vol know that it took more than a fairy wand for 

^S^^toow *at you would feel that way I was 
afraid you might mind about the way they dress and dont do 

11 MSs Garr y ' Dress and style are all right in their place but 

I would fndeed be blind to let a shabby garment conceal the 
stalwart character of your parents. , 

Wnrrpn- "Yon are a regular soul seer, mats wnyyou ^ i 
folks so It makes me lov te e you and want you more than ever. 



me" 



e 5' 

Warren: "You aren't making light of this, are you 

MiTs Gary: "No, my heart is *^^ iB <l f^ < 2S^ 
be frivolous about such a matter. The thing is 1 have y 

given my promise to another-my fate is sealed. 

3 [ ml -^riVetad a right smart chase after you, Miss 
Gary [Seeing Warren.] Where did you drop from? 



28 

Warren : "I got out a few days earlier, but I may have to go 
back." 

Mr. A. : "What kind of ravin' is that ? You know I'll keep my 
boy over Christmas, especially since Miss Gary is here. After 
we look over the night school tonight we can have a regular 
family reunion. This is the first time Miss Gary's every stayed 
with us and there's a heap of things I want to talk to her about." 

Miss Gary : "Things have gone well with you haven't they in 
the past few years?" 

Mr. A. : "I've had some of both kinds of luck. After our first 
term of night school, Warren got in with some glass factory folks 
who paid him well for his silica, and gave him a start. It seems 
like one of them, a Mr. Harrington, wuz a kind of gentleman 
crook, and he broke his contract when he found that silica could 
be got cheaper from poor old Bud Amos." 

[Miss Gary aghast.] 

Mr. A. : "You look kinder cold like. Better draw up closer to 
the fire." 

Miss Gary: "Thanks [moves up]. What happened then?" 

Mr. A. : "He cheated the old fellow pretty bad. He tried to 
do us the same way, and I wuz about to act like a old blockhead, 
but Warren was too smart for him. Well, after we couldn't sell 
the silica any more, it looked pretty bad — like Warren'd have to 
give up his college work, but me and him stuck at it with the 
farmin'. Later on we found another silica market and that put 
us on easy street, and best of all I still like to work. It's the best 
medicine I know uv fer my kind of rheumatiz. I'm even able to 
help my old lady with bringing in the stove wood. And that 
reminds me she wuz callin' fer some about half an hour ago." 
[Exit, left.] 

[Miss Gary sits silent.] 

Warren: "What did you mean by saying just now that your 
fate was sealed?" 
• Miss Gary : "That man Harrington has my word !" 

Warren: "You promised to him!" 

Miss Gary : "Don't." 

Warren: "Do you love him?" 

Miss Gary: "No, I never have. I only hoped that it would 
come, later, as he said. But my word has just gone. Jimmie has 
gone to mail it now." 

Warren: "If that's it, just so it hasn't reached his hands, I'll 
have it and things will soon be straightened out." 

[Warren starts out, collides with Jimmie. Enter Jimmie, 
bedraggled.] 

Jimmie: "Miss Gary, I'm awful sorry. You see it got all 
torn. I got in a fight with the Jones twins. Minnie told 'em to 
get it away. I run as fast as I could, but the young \m headed 
me off on Easy street and she got the other half." 



29 

Warren: "That's all right, old chap. Best day's work you 
ever did. Here's a quarter for that half of the letter." 

Jimmie: "Oh, boy. [Aside] He don't know she's going to 
write him one all his own or he wouldn't be givin' quarters for 
half of other folks' " [Exit, left.] 

[Enter Buck.] Buck: "Did you bring hit? [Sees Miss Gary; 
surprised.] Oh, howdy. Miss Gary." 

Warren: "Yes, here it is." [Hands him box.] 
Buck [opens box and holds up ring]: "Lordy, ain't hit a 
beauty ? It sure beats Sears Roebuck all to pieces. I'll call Min- 
nie in. She's kinder bashful today. [Goes to door and calls] 
Oh. Minnie!" 

Warren : "Now you see what I was wiring Minnie about." 
[Enter Minnie, dressed as bride with veil.] 
Miss Gary : "Let me wish you both much happiness." 
Buck: "Thank you, ma'am. Everybody's been er congratu- 
late Minnie. We's on our way to the parson's now. Won't you 
come and see it fixed up?" 

Warren: "Thank you. We'll join you in a minute." 
[Exit Buck and Minnie arm in arm.] 
Buck [to Minnie] : "Come on, Peaches." 

Warren : "A pretty good pair. [Picks up letter.] Now there 
is only half a letter out against you. You can't say that you are 
breaking your promise by giving me a chance." 
Miss Gary : "I would be breaking half, though." 
[Enter Buck and Minnie.] 

Buck: "Say, Warren, I want a word with you. [Takes him 
down front of stage. Girls talk. Buck is much embarrassed.] 
I hate to mention it, but if there's any change comin' from the 
ring I'd like to ask you to turn it over to me. My trousseau has 
been a unusual expense." 

[Enter Jimmie with other half the letter plus a black eye.J 
Jimmie: "I had a awful fight, but I don't mind gettin 
smashed if quarters are growin' eroun'." 
Warren : "Here." [Pitches him fifty cents.] 
Jimmie: "Gee, I wish they had tore it in er dozen pieces ! lm 
goin' to look for some more." [Exit Jimmie, center, running.! 

Minnie: "Miss Gary, I'm awful worried erbout your letter. 1 
made the twins do it. Fer I overheard you tellin' Mary *er_ 
guson erbout what you wuz writin' that Harrin ton man, and I 
thought I'd jes ease it away from Jimmie, but he had the ngntin 
spirit too strong." . 

Miss Gary : "You're wonderful, Minnie. You have done me 
this great service, I want to thank you." 

Minnie: "I'm glad I made you feel good. I'm so happy lm 

most 'bout to bust !" . __ 

Buck: "Come, Peaches, 'fore your ring begins to turn. Iney 

ain't no life time guarantee on hit. [Exit Buck and Mmnie.J 



30 

Warren [holds up letter] : "Now that your promise is redeemed, 
what must I do with it?" 

Miss Gary : "Possession gives the right of ownership." 

Warren : "Then here ends the promise [burns letter], and here 
begins the ownership [takes her in his arms]. 

Jimmie [who reappears during the last speech] : "Good night ! 
It took sand to do it !" 

Curtain. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
I II III! II I IMI Ml Mill I 



016 215 012 1 



